How the I-864 income test works
The Affidavit of Support, Form I-864, is a legally binding contract in which a US sponsor promises to financially support an intending immigrant so they will not become a public charge. Its core requirement is an income test: the sponsor must show income at or above 125% of the federal poverty line for their household size (100% for active-duty military sponsoring a spouse or child). Because the threshold rises with each additional person, the first step is to count your household correctly, and then compare your income against the matching poverty-line figure. This calculator does both, then tells you whether you pass and, if not, how large the gap is.
Counting your household size
Household size is often larger than people expect. You include yourself, your spouse, your dependent children, any other tax dependents, every immigrant being sponsored on this I-864, and any immigrants you previously sponsored and are still obligated to support. Each of those people pushes you into a higher poverty-line bracket, raising the income you must demonstrate. Getting this count right is essential, because understating it can lead to a Request for Evidence or a denial.
Making up a shortfall
If your income falls short, you are not out of options. You can count the net value of qualifying assets - cash savings, stocks and bonds, and the equity in real estate - which must generally total five times the shortfall, reduced to three times when a US citizen sponsors a spouse or child. You can add the income of a household member who signs Form I-864A. Or you can bring in a joint sponsor, a separate person who independently meets the full requirement for the immigrant. The calculator estimates how much in assets or additional income you would need so you can choose the simplest path.
How to strengthen your affidavit
Use your current annual income - what you expect to report this year - as the headline figure, and back it up with your most recent federal tax return, W-2s or transcripts and recent pay stubs. If you are self-employed, be ready to show your adjusted gross income from your returns. Aim comfortably above 125% rather than scraping the line, since consular officers and USCIS have discretion to weigh the totality of your circumstances. If you rely on a joint sponsor, choose someone with stable, well-documented income, because their obligation is just as binding as yours. Keep every figure consistent across the forms to avoid delays.
This is an estimate to help you prepare. The poverty guidelines update each year and individual cases vary, so confirm the current thresholds on Form I-864P and review the I-864 instructions, or consult an immigration attorney, before you file.